Method and apparatus for applying magnetic fields to fluids

ABSTRACT

A fluid treatment system .Iadd.and method .Iaddend.for changing the rates of growth of certain crystals and other solids formed within a fluid is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a variable speed motor having a shaft, and a wheel assembly mounted on the shaft. The wheel assembly includes two circular ferro-magnetic disks separated from each other on the shaft a pre-determined distance to form a gap, and a ferro-magnetic spacer member concentrically arranged about the shaft and located in the gap between the disks. An array of magnets is concentrically arranged in a circular pattern about the shaft on the inner surface of each of the disks with the polarity of the inner pole faces of the magnets on one of the disks bang the same as each other and the polarity of the inner pole faces of the magnets on the other of the disks being the same as each other but opposite to the polarity of the inner pole faces of said magnets on the one disk. An elongated fluid conduit having a U-shaped non-magnetic portion is located in the gap formed by the disks between the inner pole faces of the magnets, the U-shaped non-magnetic portion of the conduit being hollow so as to have no obstruction for continuous fluid flow therethrough, wherein sufficient magnetic force is provided by the combination of the strength of the magnets, velocity of the fluid, and rotation of the magnets to accomplish beneficial effects on impurities in the fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention lies in the general field of fluid treatment,purification, and processing. More specifically this invention functionsthrough the application of the a magnetic field on a fluid containingcharged particles or ions, wherein the relative velocity of theparticles perpendicular to the magnetic field lines produces a wellknown resultant force on the ions. Thus the invention is in the fieldwherein fluids are treated by means of a magnetic fields that inducesion movement through a Lorentz force phenomena.

The invention also lies in the general field of ion propulsion throughthe use of a moving magnetic field as is found in the area of plasmaphysics with certain applications concerned with rocket propulsion andcontrolled fusion. The application of this invention is not in theseareas but is in a low energy regime with application for theredistribution of surface charges on small particles or aggregates ofparticles within the treated fluid.

2. Brief Description of Prior Art

There have been numerous designs for the magnetic treatment of fluids,specifically water, by inventors both in Europe and the United States.All previous designs utilized fixed or oscillating magnetic fields notspatially translating magnetic fields aligned transverse to thedirection of fluid flow. Minerals dissolved in the fluid to be treatedappear as suspended charged particles (ions). Ions moving solely withthe fluid's velocity through a magnetic field are acted on by a forceknown as the Lorentz force. This force is usually stated in vector formas:

    F.sub.L =J×B

Where F_(L) is the Lorentz Force vector, J the current vector orcharges, q, moving at Velocity V, and B the Magnetic Field vector. Thisequation may be rewritten as: F_(L) =qV×B. Since the charge q, can beeither positive or negative the Lorentz force F_(L), will beperpendicular to the plane of the two vectors, V and B, but in or out ofthat plane depending on the charge.

The foregoing is well known and has been the basis of most of the priorart in this field. In numerous cases it has been determined by variouspersons that the induction of a Lorentz force in a fluid has resulted inthe reduction and prevention of the formation of various encrustingmineral scale formations on the interior portions of fluid conduits. Themost well known and cited example being that of calcium carbonate, wherethe hard scale deposit know as calcite is converted to a soft loosesludge, which is easily removed. The benefit of this art is to preventthe loss of the system's efficiency through losses in both the rate offlow of the fluid and heat transfer by the fluid through the conduitwalls due to the constriction and insulation caused by the scale buildup.

Hertzog U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,590 discloses a water treatment deviceconsisting of permanent magnets clamped on conduit so that the directionof the fixed field is perpendicular to the flow of the fluid. This istypical of many devices that are in use all over the world. It isclaimed, without a detailed physical argument, that a reversal of themagnetic field along the fluid flow path is beneficial. It makes use ofthe Lorentz force to produce the results mentioned above, but does notexplain the physics of the process beyond a mention of ion agitation anddepends totally on the velocity of the fluid to create the effect.

There are a number of similar applications of this art. Moody U.S. Pat.No. 3,228,878 is a permanent magnet device that has no field reversaland fixed permanent magnets. Green et al U.S. Pat. No. 2,939,830 has anfield reversal using an electromagnet and alternating current. GrangerU.S. Pat. No. 4,229,389, Fujita U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,296, Mitchell U.S.Pat. No. 4,755,288 and Carpenter U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,143 make use offixed magnetic fields that and claim to improve and enhance the qualityand utility of a variety of fluids.

Brigante in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,347,133; 4,148,731; 4,151,090; and4,288,323 teaches a helical geometry for the flow of a fluid within acylindrical conduit in which a fixed axial magnetic field has beeninduced by means of an electromagnet. In this case the Lorentz force isachieved by the circular component of the fluids velocity which isperpendicular to the axial magnetic field. Claims of efficacy incleaning ground water, separating fine solids, and removing magneticparticles are made. No spatially translating magnetic field is used.

Each of the foregoing patent disclosures, and foreign patents: SU1430357A Russian; ETA 0277524 German; 46-2639 Japan; and 1212969Russian, all are of the type wherein Lorentz forces are induced by fluidvelocity alone. They are incorporated in the teachings of the currentpatent only in that the show the efficacy of such treatment to reducecalcareous scale accumulations and other benifits. In no instance doesany of this art suggest the use of spatial translation of magneticfields to produce a relative velocity of the fluid to the magneticfield. No concise and clear cut explanation of the physical or chemicalprocesses involved is proffered by any of these teachings beyond a vaguereference to Lorentz force initiation and ion agitation.

A second area of prior art is that which deals with applications ofmoving magnetic fields. Though no art was found that described the useof moving magnetic fields transverse to conduits of fluid to produceLorentz force treatment of nonmagnetic particles suspended in the fluid,there are some teachings on moving fields. Dudnik et al RussianInventor's Certficate No. SU 0722576 teaches a moving solenoidialmagnetic field that is axial, not transverse, to the fluid conduit andmoves parallel to the axis thus inducing no Lorentz force. The purposeof the solenoid magnetic field is to remove ferromagnetic particlesonly, and not to effect ion transport or provide any other benefit.

All prior art has relied to varying degrees on an assumption that theintroduction of magnetic fields to fluids flowing in a conduit wouldinduce some benefit. Grutsch and McClinctock in Paper No. 330 in theCorrosion '84 conference sponsored by the National Association ofCorrosion Engineers, (NACE), provide a survey of numerous applicationsof magnetic water treatment. They describe four different geometriesemployed to achieve treatment. In all cases the magnetic fields werefixed and not subject to spatial translation. No concise theories areoffered as to the process involved, but support for the theoreticalarguments that no physical change can be induced in the water molecule,itself, by magnetic fields are reiterated.

Busch et al in Paper No. 251 in NACE Corrosion '85 conference describeexperiments performed at Baylor University in which a permanent magnetwater treatment system was tested. There results show the presence ofweak induced electric potentials and currents, with clear dependence onfluid flow rates. A number of hypotheses were suggested that weredependent on the induction of the measured electric current, but nodefinitive argument could be made for any of the vague models proffered.

The most significant advance in the understanding of the phenomenonheretofore, is given by Donaldson and Grimes in the Feb. 18, 1988 issuedof the New Scientist, published in England. In that and two otherpapers: Donaldson in January 1988 Tube International; and Grimes inMarch 1988 Tube International, detailed evidence is provided on thechanges in crystal morphology, phase, growth rates, and solubility.Shown conclusively, through the use of electron and optical microscopy,and X-ray diffraction analysis, are the comparative results of magnetictreatment of hard water using a permanent magnetic flow through device.Comparative micrographs clearly show dramatic changes of the suspendedcrystals after magnetic treatment. A sixteen fold reversal of the ratiosfor the calcium carbonate crystal phases, calcite and aragonite, wasshown. This is of particular importance in that it provides a link inthe causal argument of how calcite scale build up is removed fromsystems.

Donaldson and Grimes offer three possible modalities for the observedeffects. Turbulence induced by the physical geometry of the treatmentapparatus may have some small effects, but analysis shows it to be oflower order than that of observed results. Collision processesattributed to the Lorentz force are argued to be also of lower order.They attribute the primary cause to be that of changes induced on thesurfaces of crystal nuclei. "The magnetic field acts at the surface ofthe crystallites, modifying the nature of the charges at the surface.This alters the growth of the crystals in general and on specificplanes. Such a modification of the way nuclei form around which crystalsgrow explains everything we have seen." They further state, "At theinterface between solids and fluids, diffusion layers arise between thesolution and the faces of the growing crystal. The growing faces eachcarry a distinctive charge. How the magnetic field affects the surfaceof the crystal and the diffusion layer is critical."

In all previous teachings on this art there has been no introduction oftranslating magnetic fields. The work by Donaldson and Grimes is the keyto understanding how the process works, yet, they have not worked outthe details of the surface processes. It is the actual force and energyconstraints on the surfaces that control the event thresholds and ratesfor the formation of crystal surfaces. Our research has revealed atheory that allows the calculation of these key parameters. Theembodiment presented herein allows the fine tuning and high range ofvariation that bring the fullest application of this technology to thewidest range of phenomena.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A unitary system comprised of multiple pairs of permanent rare earthmagnets arranged in a circular array on the circumference of a wheel.The rim of the wheel is shaped like a "U". The magnets on one innersurface of the "U" are comprised of all north magnetic poles. Theopposite inner surface is comprised of all south magnetic poles. Thusthe space between the two inner surfaces consists of an endless seriesof closely spaced transverse magnetic fields. The wheel is mounted on anelectric motor with a variable speed adjustment that allows a wideassortment of rotary speeds.

A nonmagnetic conduit is fitted to the curve of the wheel so that itlies within the gap of the "U" shape of the rim for up to 360 degrees ofthe circle made by the wheel. Various applications may require as littleas a single tangent convergence of the conduit and the wheel. As thewheel turns the magnetic field lines of the permanent magnets cutthrough the conduit and the fluid therein. The velocity of the fieldlines through the fluid is:

    V=2πrφ+V.sub.f

Where, φ is the radial velocity, r is the radius, and V_(f) is thevelocity of the fluid through the conduit. Typically the velocity of themagnetic field due to the rotational velocity times the radius will bemuch much greater than the flow velocity, V_(f). Thus it is possible totreat fluids that have very low, or even zero velocity.

Using Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Ne₂ Fe₁₄ B) rare earth magnets it ispossible to achieve magnetic fields in the gap between the magneticpoles on the order of 1000 gauss and larger. Such fields coupled withthe velocities generated by standard electric motor rotational speeds of3600 RPM and assemblies with a radius of four inches (4") allow Lorentzforces that are 50 to 100 times greater than can be achieved using anyof the prior art.

Prior art has shown that systems using magnetic fields to create aLorentz force in a fluid produce desired results in the area of scaleprevention and removal. There is also anecdotal evidence that supportsthe use of the treatment to prevent alga, as a biocide, and to speed upthe settlement time for colloids in treated sewerage. None of the priorart, with the exception of Donaldson and Grimes offer any plausible setof causal relations that can explain the results, and their work islimited in its scope to speculation as to the details of process.

I now disclose that the specific function that governs the effects ofthe magnetic field treatment of fluids or gasses is the Surface WorkFunction, ω, the energy that bonds a single electron to a surface thatis unique to a given aggregate of particles that form the surface. Allcharged particles are acted on by the Lorentz force, but the heavier ionclusters, composed of many protons and neutrons, are many thousands oftimes more massive than a single electron. Thus, the only significantvelocities are imparted to electrons.

Micells, micro-crystals composed of less than one hundred molecules,larger suspended crystal structures, and the surfaces of very smallsuspended colloids carry a surface charge due to electrons that resideon the solid's surface. Each electron is bound to by an ω that isdependent on the composition and structure of the micro-solid. Dependingon the initial condition of the fluid to be treated the surface chargeof the various types of micro-solids may be attractive, repulsive, orneutral to an incoming ion.

In the case of crystal structure, a micro-crystal or crystal nucleus,acts as the core for the build up of a crystal. As ions of the samechemical that constitutes the building blocks of the crystal latticecollide with the surface of the crystal some will bond at the properorientation to the existing lattice and add to the surface of thecrystal. It is this interaction between the crystal lattice surface andthe incoming ion that is critical to the rate of growth and morphologyof the lattice. It is clear that the interaction between the charged ionand a charged surface is dominated by electrostatic forces. Theelectrostatic surface charge on a lattice will effect the orientation ofincoming ion due to its electric dipole moment. Since the ion will onlybond to the lattice if it collides with the surface at the properorientation to allow the molecule to fit into the existing latticepattern, the probability for each collision to add to the crystal iscontrolled by the surface charge of the crystal. Thus any change in thenumber of electrons residing on a given crystal surface will change theinteraction probabilities that determine the future growth of thatcrystal.

The Lorentz force produced by a relative velocity of chargesperpendicular to a magnetic field acts primarily on electrons to movethem through the fluid. Most electrons are bound either to ions,molecules, or the surfaces of solids. Electrons bound to surfaces areless tightly bound than those in even the highest energy levels of amolecule. Typically the first ionization energy of an electron is threeto ten times that of its Work Funtion, ω, when that same element orcompound is formed into a lattice. As an example the element carbon hasa first ionization of 11.2 ev, a second ionization of 24.3 ev, and aω=4.0 ev (Thermionic Work Function). Thus significantly smaller energiesmay free electrons from a surface than would be required to ionize an Sor P shell electron from a singular molecule.

The electrons on the surface of crystals will have a distribution ofkinetic energies that are dependent on the temperature of the fluid,some will need much less energy input to over come the ω of come the ωof the crystal. The redistribution of only a few electron charges willchange the probability of crystal formation. The weak energy interactionof the Lorentz force, if greater than crystal's ω, is enough to shiftprobability, and rate of formation of a crystal phase.

A specific example of how this process works is demonstrated by theconversion of the crystal phases in calcium carbonate, calcite andaragonite. Both calcite and aragonite are chemically identical, CaCO₃,but form two different crystal phases. Calcite is has a slightly lowerlattice energy than aragonite and is found in higher concentrations by aradio of 4 to 1. After Lorentz force type magnetic treatment Donaldsonand Grimes reported a reversal of concentration so that one calcitecrystal was formed to four aragonite crystals. This increase in thearagonite concentration by 1600%. Since the amount of energy required todisassociate the calcite and form the aragonite is at least two ordersof magnitude greater than the energy added to the system by the magnetictreatment we must find an indirect causal chain that will explain thisphenomena.

We know, from the preceding discussion, that a small number of electronswill be shifted to or from the surfaces of the the existingmicro-crystals. This slight change in surface charge will cause thosecrystals to grow as aragonite. This explains how one phase is increasedbut not how the previously dominant calcite is reduced. It is well knownthat, when the partial pressure of ions forming a crystal in a solutionis reduced, a crystal exposed to that solution will dissolve back intothat solution. Thus, the newly dominant aragonite absorbs the Ca and CO₃ions from the solution, it reduces the partial pressure of these ions onthe existing calcite crystals breaking the existing equilibriumcondition and causing the calcite to dissolve into Ca and CO₃ ions whichreform as aragonite. Thus we can see how a very weak interaction causinga slight modification of charge distribution can produce a dramaticchange within the solution.

It was necessary to understand the process by which all changes within amagnetically treated fluid are caused in order to understand thesignificance of the function of the invention. This invention allowscontrol over an extremely wide range of the Lorentz force that coupleswith the electrons in the treated fluid. Adjustment of the rotationalvelocity, Ω, and the radius of the moving magnets can achieve acontinuous variation in the energy imparted to the surface electrons.This wide range tuning capacity allow the selection of those ω's whichwill determine the group of micro-solids to be affected. This is a clearimprovement on all previous magnetic treatment which is limited by lowrelative velocities of magnetic field to the fluid by pump pressure,surface friction, and form drag of various flow restriction devicesinserted into the conduit where the fluid is treated. It furtherimproves on previous teachings in that it allows the treatment of fluidsthat are slow moving or even at rest in the conduit. The mostsignificant improvement is that previous teachings have an upper limiton the critical Lorentz force component, |V×B|≈10,000 gauss meters/sec,where this teaching allows a |V×B|≈1,000,000 gauss meters/sec, or amultiple of 100 times the previous teachings.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The objects of this invention share one common casual pattern. It is thetreatment of solids of all compositions that are suspended within thefluid or gas within the magnetic array.

It is an object of this invention to treat all manner of fresh waterthat is used in cooling towers, boiler systems, food systems, wastesystems, and chemical processing to prevent and remove the build up ofscale or other precipitate that might block pipes or conduits within thesystem.

It is a further object of this invention to treat all manner of freshwater that is used in cooling towers, boiler systems, food systems,waste systems, and chemical processing to prevent and remove the buildup algae and unwanted or dangerous bacteria.

It is a further object of this invention to provide pretreatment to saltwater desalination systems to enhance efficiency by removal of salts.

It is a further object of this invention to enhance both the rate offormation and quality of industrial crystals.

It is a further object of this invention to mix and stabilize oil andwater emulsions to allow for long term storage and higher fuel economythrough greater combustion efficiency.

It is a further object of this invention to treat medical disorders thatcan be ameliorated by changing the quantitative make up of minerals,salts, and colloids that exist within the various parts of the humanbody. It is a further object of this invention to increase the speed andefficiency of sewage treatment by increasing the rates of compaction andsettling of suspended colloids.

Other and further objects will be apparent from the drawings andfollowing descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention. It shows the electric motor which drives the double wheelswith mounted permanent magnets. The magnets envelope a conduit thatcarries the treated fluid. The motor is connected to an electriccontroller that varies motor speed;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the combined wheels with thepermanent magnets installed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is the plan front view of one wheel section with the permanentmagnets attached at a spacing of 30° and;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention consists of a unitary package, shown in FIG. 1. Theelectric motor 1 is connected to a speed control unit 8 which isadjustable through a full range of speeds from 50 to 3450 RPM by meansof knob 7. The system is powered by conventional electric power throughconnection 6. The rotation of the motor is translated to the wheelassembly 3 by means of a direct shaft connection 9 in FIGS. 2 and 3..Iadd.Other electric driving means or mechanical driving means can beused in place of electric motor 1 to rotate shaft 9. Also, otherelectric or mechanical means can be used to provide the variable speedfunction of speed control unit 8 and adjustment knob 7..Iaddend.Permanent Neodymium Iron Boron magnets 2, are mounted on thewheel assembly in such fashion that each set of magnets 2 in FIG. 2 aredirectly opposite each other and arranged so that all "north" polesreside on one inner face of the gap 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3, and all "south"poles reside on the opposite inner face of gap 10. Thus magnets 2 areattracting in all cases. Supports 5 on each side of the motor 1 providea rigid mount and sufficient clearance for free rotation of wheel 3 andassembly of conduit 4. Conduit 4 shown in FIG. 1 carries the fluid thatis treated by the moving magnetic flux as it passes through the conduitwhich is located in gap 10 while the wheel 3 rotates. That portion ofconduit 4 that lies within gap 10, and is less than six inches (6") fromthe rim of the wheel 3, shall be made from a non-ferromagnetic materialof low magnetic permeablilty. The fluid is moved through the conduitfrom its source and then returned to its system by means of externalpumping methods.

Though conduit 4 in FIG. 1 is formed in a "U" shape and fitted closelywithin gap 10, there may be many applications wherein the conduit needonly pass within the moving magnetic fields of the gap 10 in atangential manner. Thus, in such cases, the conduit will run straightand no turn or deflection of the piping will be required. A furthermodification is that more, or less, of the magnet pairs 2 may beinstalled on the wheels 3. As larger wheels 3 are used for variousconduit sizes and applications, no upper limit on the number of magnetpairs 2 can exist other than the physical limits of the space on theinner surface of wheels. Even a single pair of magnets 2 may besufficient for some applications.

The section of conduit 4 that lies within the gap 10 should beconstructed of nonmagnetic material so that the magnetic field flux mayfreely permeate the fluid contained. Conduit leading to this susceptibleto magnetization it must be a minimum of one foot (1') from the rim ofthe wheel 3.

The wheel assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 consists of two circular ironplates 3 separated by an iron spacer 12. The iron plates 3 are fittedwith opposite pole permanent magnets 2 and bolted together with bolts 14into threaded holes in the iron spacer 12. The purpose of the ironconstruction is to insure maximum magnetic flux in gap 10 by providing amagnetic media to retain the maximum flux in the magnetic circuit. Thisdouble wheel assembly is fitted onto the electric motor shaft 9 and madefast to the shaft by set screw 11. Other means of attachment arepossible.

Each wheel plate 3 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a flat circular ironplate with cutout portions on the rim to accommodate permanent magnets2. In FIGS. 4 and 5 a total of twelve (12) 1"×1"×0.5" permanent magnets2 are equally spaced, at 30° on center, around the outer rim of theplate. This is a optimum for an 8" diameter wheel, but may vary forother physical considerations such as conduit size, and applicationssuch as CaCO₃ removal or waste treatment. Holes 13 are equally spacedaround the interior of the plate 3 to provide access for the bolts 14that fasten the plates to the spacer 12. A hole 15 is provided for motorshaft 9. The permanent magnets 2 are fastened into each cutout slot withepoxy glue and are coated with epoxy paint to prevent loss of magneticstrength due to oxidation. The permanent magnets on each plate will allhave the same polarity, that is, each permanent magnet on one plate 3will have a "north" pole facing the open gap 10. All the permanentmagnets on the opposite plate 3 will have a "south" pole facing the opengap 10. Thus the field across the gap 10 and through the conduit 4 willbe a continuous and attractive field.

I claim:
 1. A fluid . .treatmemt.!. .Iadd.treatment .Iaddend.system forchanging the rates of growth of certain crystals and other solids formedwithin a fluid comprising:a. . .and.!. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.electricalpower source; b. a speed control unit connected to said power source,said unit having an adjustable knob; c. a motor connected to said speedcontrol unit, and having a rotatable shaft; d. a wheel assembly mountedon said shaft consisting of two circular ferro-magnetic disks separatedfrom each other on said shaft a pre-determined distance to form a gap,said disks being oriented perpendicular to and being concentricallymounted about said shaft, each said disk having an inner surface facingsaid gap; e. a ferro-magnetic spacer member concentrically arrangedabout said shaft and located in said gap between said disks, said spacermember having a pair of spaced apart ends, a respective said end of saidspacer member contacting a respective said inner surface of said disks;f. an array of magnets concentrically arranged in a circular patternabout said shaft on a said inner surface of each of said disks, eachsaid magnet having an inner pole face facing the gap, each magnet havinga polarity parallel to a longitudinal direction of said shaft, thenumber of said magnets on each said disk being equal, each respectivesaid magnet on one of said disks being located directly opposite to arespective said magnet on said other disk; g. the polarity of the innerpole faces of said magnets on one of said disks being the same as eachother and the polarity of the inner pole faces of said magnets on theother of said disks being the same as each other but opposite to thepolarity of the inner pole faces of said magnets on said one disk; h. anelongated fluid conduit having a U-shaped non-magnetic portion locatedin the gap formed by said disks between said inner pole faces of saidmagnets, wherein fluid flows in said conduit through said gap in acontinuous flow into and out of said gap; i. said U-shaped non-magneticportion of said conduit being hollow so as to have no obstruction forcontinuous fluid flow therethrough, wherein sufficient magnetic force isprovided by the combination of the strength of the magnets, velocity ofthe fluid, and rotation of the magnets to accomplish beneficial effectson impurities in the fluid.
 2. The fluid treatment system of claim 1wherein said magnets are attached to said disks with epoxy glue, saidglue coating said magnets to prevent oxidation.
 3. The fluid treatmentsystem of claim 1 wherein said magnets are located in slots formed insaid inner surfaces of said disks. .Iadd.4. A fluid treatment system forchanging the rates of growth of certain crystals and other solids formedwithin a fluid comprising:a rotatable shaft; an assembly mounted on saidshaft and rotatable therewith, said assembly comprising twoferro-magnetic disks separated from each other on said shaft apredetermined distance to form a gap, each said disk having an innersurface facing said gap; a ferro-magnetic spacer member concentricallyarranged about said shaft and located in said gap between said disks,said spacer member having a pair of spaced apart ends, a respective saidend of said spacer member contacting a respective said inner surface ofsaid disks; a magnet device on at least one of said disks and beingseparate from said spacer member for providing a magnetic field acrosssaid gap in a direction parallel to said shaft; and an elongated fluidconduit having a U-shaped non-magnetic portion located in the gap formedby said disks and intersecting said magnetic field, said U-shapednon-magnetic portion of said conduit being hollow so as to have noobstruction for continuous fluid flow therethrough..Iaddend..Iadd.5. Thefluid treatment system of claim 4, wherein said magnetic field formingdevice includes first and second pluralities of magnets distributed,respectively, on the opposing inner surfaces of said disks, and whereinthe magnetic field across said gap is unidirectional, whereby when saidshaft is rotated, the fluid in said conduit portion is subjected to anon-reversing, moving magnetic field..Iaddend..Iadd.6. The fluidtreatment system of claim 5, wherein said magnets are attached to saiddisks with epoxy glue, said glue coating said magnets to preventoxidation..Iaddend..Iadd.7. The fluid treatment system of claim 5,wherein said magnets are located in slots formed in said inner surfacesof said disks..Iaddend..Iadd.8. The fluid treatment system of claim 4,further including a variable speed drive for rotating said shaftselected from the group consisting of electrical and mechanicaldrives..Iaddend..Iadd.9. The fluid treatment system of claim 8, whereinthe peripheral speed of said rotating disks and the strength of saidmagnet device together provide a Lorentz force greater than about 10,000gauss-meters/sec in the fluid in said conduit portion..Iaddend..Iadd.10.An apparatus for treating solids within a flowing fluid, said apparatuscomprising:an unobstructed conduit portion for establishing a flowdirection for said flowing fluid, said conduit portion being formed of anon-magnetic material; and a device including a rotatable assemblyhaving an axis of rotation, a pair of magnetic disks separated along theaxis of rotation to form a gap, wherein said disks have opposed innersurfaces facing said gap, and wherein a magnetic spacer member isinterposed between and in abutting contact with said opposed innersurfaces, and a magnet device on at least one of said disks and beingseparate from said spacer member, for generating a non-reversing, movingmagnetic field within said fluid in said conduit portion, said fieldbeing oriented in a direction generally parallel to said axis ofrotation and perpendicular to said flow direction, said conduit portionbeing disposed within said gap and said conduit portion being configuredsuch that said flow is unidirectional through said gap relative to arotational direction of said disks..Iaddend..Iadd.11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein said magnet device comprises a plurality of magnetsdisposed on said disks as opposed magnet pairs..Iaddend..Iadd.12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the Lorentz force generated by saiddevice in said flowing fluid is greater than 10,000gauss-meters/sec..Iaddend..Iadd.13. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinsaid magnet device includes at least one permanent magnet mounted oneach of said disks, said magnets configured as an opposedpair..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said conduitportion has an arcuately shaped longitudinal axis..Iaddend..Iadd.15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein said conduit portion isU-shaped..Iaddend..Iadd.16. The apparatus of claim 10, further includinga variable speed drive for rotating said disks selected from the groupconsisting of electrical and mechanical drives..Iaddend..Iadd.17. Anapparatus for inhibiting the formation of calcite within a fluidcontaining dissolved calcium carbonate, said apparatus comprising:anelongated conduit for establishing a flow direction for confining saidcalcium carbonate-containing fluid, said conduit having an unobstructedportion with a longitudinal axis and defined by a non-magnetic material;and a device including a rotatable assembly for generating anon-reversing, moving magnetic field within said fluid in said conduitportion, said rotatable assembly having an axis of rotation, a pair ofmagnetic disks separated along the axis of rotation to form a gap,wherein said disks have opposed inner surfaces facing said gap, andwherein a magnetic spacer member is interposed between and in abuttingcontact with said opposed inner surfaces, and a magnet device on atleast one of said disks and being separate from said spacer member, forgenerating a non-reversing, moving magnetic field, wherein said field isgenerally parallel to the axis of rotation, and wherein said conduitportion is disposed within said gap, said field being oriented in adirection generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of saidconduit portion, said conduit portion being configured such that saidflow is unidirectional in said gap relative to a rotational direction ofsaid disks..Iaddend..Iadd.18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein saidmagnet device comprises a plurality of permanent magnets disposed onsaid disks as opposed pairs..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The apparatus of claim17, wherein said longitudinal axis of said conduit portion is arcuate,wherein said disks when rotated have a velocity with a circumferentialcomponent, and wherein the circumferential component of the velocity ofsaid disks is generally parallel to said conduit portion longitudinalaxis..Iaddend..Iadd.20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said conduitportion is U-shaped..Iaddend..Iadd.21. The apparatus of claim 17,further including a variable speed drive for rotating said disksselected from the group consisting of electrical and mechanicaldrives..Iaddend..Iadd.22. A method of treating crystalline solids withina fluid using a rotatable assembly having an axis of rotation, a pair ofdisks separated along the axis of rotation to form a gap, and a magnetdevice associated with the disks forming a unidirectional magnetic fieldacross the gap generally parallel to the axis of rotation, said methodcomprising the steps of: generating a non-reversing moving magneticfield in said gap by rotating the rotatable assembly; and flowing saidfluid through said gap through a non-magnetic conduit portion in a flowdirection, said flow direction being generally perpendicular to saidfield, and being unidirectional in said gap relative to a rotationaldirection of said disks..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The method of claim 22,wherein the direction of flow is generally opposed to the direction ofmovement of said magnetic field..Iaddend..Iadd.24. The method of claim22, wherein said generating step includes selecting the magnet device tohave a predetermined strength and rotating the rotatable assembly at apredetermined peripheral velocity, such that the solids are subjected toa Lorentz force in excess of 10,000 gauss meters/sec..Iaddend..Iadd.25.The method of claim 22, wherein the flowing step includes flowing thesolid-containing fluid through an unobstructed arcuate conduit formed ofa non-magnetic material positioned in the gap..Iaddend..Iadd.26. Themethod of claim 22, wherein in said rotating step an angular speed ofrotation is selected in accordance with surface charge characteristicsof the solids..Iaddend..Iadd.27. A method for inhibiting the formationof calcite in a aqueous solution containing calcium carbonate using arotatable assembly, said rotatable assembly having an axis of rotation,a pair of disks separated along the axis of rotation to form a gap, anda magnet device associated with said disks forming a unidirectionalmagnetic field across the gap generally parallel to the axis ofrotation, said method comprising the steps of:generating anon-reversing, moving magnetic field in said gap by rotating therotatable assembly, the magnetic field moving in a direction; exposingsaid solution to said moving magnetic field in the gap for inducing aLorentz force field of a predetermined level in the solution includingthe step of flowing the fluid through a non-magnetic conduit portion,said flow being unidirectional relative to a rotational direction of thedisks; and applying said non-reversing, moving magnetic field to saidsolution for a time sufficient for said predetermined Lorentz forcefield to promote the formation of aragonite form of calciumcarbonate..Iaddend..Iadd.28. The method of claim 27, wherein saiddirection of movement of said magnetic field is generally opposite tosaid flow direction..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The method of claim 27, wherein aLorentz force of greater than 10,000 gauss-meters/sec is produced insaid flowing fluid magnetic field..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The method of claim27, wherein said flowing step includes flowing the solution in a conduitarcuately about the axis of rotation in a direction generally oppositethe direction of motion of the moving field..Iaddend..Iadd.31. Themethod of claim 27, wherein in said rotating step an angular speed ofrotation is selected in accordance with surface charge characteristicsof calcium carbonate..Iaddend..Iadd.32. A method of mixing andstabilizing a water-oil emulsion using a rotatable assembly having anaxis of rotation, a pair of disks separated along the axis of rotationto form a gap, and a magnet device associated with the disks forming aunidirectional magnetic field across the gap generally parallel to theaxis of rotation, said method comprising the steps of:generating anon-reversing moving magnetic field in said gap by rotating therotatable assembly; and flowing said emulsion through said gap through anon-magnetic conduit portion in a flow direction, said flow directionbeing generally perpendicular to said field, and being unidirectional insaid gap relative to a rotational direction of said disks..Iaddend.